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Complementary Therapy
for Acoustic Neuromas

This essay originally appeared in the BANA (British ANA) newsletter.
It was contributed by Chris Ottewell,with the author's permission.

I am a Complementary Therapist and I also train therapists in aromatherapy and emotional therapy. Having worked in this field for a number of years, I know quite a lot about various types of complementary therapies. Like any kind of medicine, be it orthodox or otherwise, some kinds/types can be of a great help, and some may not. It depends a lot on the patient/client. My advice is to "shop around" to find one that might suit you.

In my own case, I have received all sorts of treatment to help me recover from the effects of my AN. I have been unfortunate enough to suffer severe debilitating headaches, and aromatherapy, in particular, has helped. I feel sure it would benefit most patients in distress. Not only the massage, but certain oils (in my case - marjoram and rose) have properties and constituents which go on working after the massage... the relief is wonderful.

If the area of pain is too sensitive for massage, then refloexology may help. If nothing else, it relaxes the body physically. This has a knock on effect of de-stressing the whole system. I'm sure a lot of AN patients would accept that some after affect pain comes from stress and tension.

Accupuncture can help to get the circulation and energy flowing again and is a good opiate. Immediately before and after the operation, arnica (from a Homeopath) can help with the pain and swelling. (This applies to any operation, or situation, that has caused swelling and bruising). Visualisation and imagery are wonderful tools for relaxation, and releasing tension.

Reiki and Spiritual Healing are also very gentle if there is too much sensitivity on a physical and/or emotional level.

I would also like to add that it is important to ask and make sure that any practitioner is fully qualified in any of the disciplines mentioned.

Jane Rochfort

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Last Edited: Friday, November 01, 2002